3 Touchdowns, 18 completions in 24 attempts. Two hundred sixty four yards, 78 completion percentage, no interceptions. RG3 clearly had a day suited to all the hype surrounding him in Washington since the draft in April. Wait...I'm currently getting word that was in fact NOT Robert Griffin III but the Redskins 3rd string quarterback and 4th round rookie Kirk Cousins! Cousins even RAN for almost the same amount of yards Griffin did in the game; Fifteen and seventeen yards in 3 rushes respectively. Cousins made up for what was an abysmal first half for the Redskins, with two pro-bowl defensive starters injured and a pittance of 3 points scored by the first team offense while giving up 20 points in the first half.
Granted a big part of RG3's game isn't even being showcased during preseason (coaches game-planning is virtually non-existent during preseason) combined with the fact that the offensive line is still short 3 starters it wasn't a terrible day, well it was a terrible day but Griffin didn't do as bad as the stats show. Preseason is about individual match-ups, coordinators call simple plays to see who wins. Does the rookie lineman hold against Julius Peppers? Can Brandyn Thompson cover Alshon Jeffery? This is what the coaches (and other teams' scouts) look for during these preseason games, which is why the score doesn't really matter. I still like what I see out of Griffin III, he stands tall in the pocket and keeps his eyes down field even when faced with a heavy pass rush. Considering he hasn't even played a full game yet one has to realize that Griffin III can only get better from here, accuracy in practice is one thing, but accuracy in a stadium with 80,000 cheering or jeering fans is another. He looked impressive on his 3 scrambles but needs to be aware of his surroundings, had he known that a defensive end was right behind him he wouldn't have attempted the pass that resulted in his fumble. This is my only worry, 2 games, 2 lost fumbles, I hope he works these issues out in practice because we can't afford senseless turnovers on a regular basis.
I'm disappointed. A playoff caliber team has certain characteristics, stuff that a veteran team does day in and day out without fail. The Redskins looked like a JV high school squad against a collegiate team (until Cousins came in of course). They missed tackles, took bad angles, the secondary was getting tore up by Cutler, they missed a field goal, you get the idea. Playoff teams know how to wrap up, they know how to plant their feet and go low and make the secure tackle, when 4 players touch the kick returner they don't all whiff and let him go for six, they don't drop balls that hit both of their hands. If the Redskins hope to have any shot this season they need to get their act together.
The 2nd half was some amazing football. Cousins didn't score in the third quarter but settled in, got his bearings together and put up a field goal opportunity. Then he shifted into 6th gear, turned on the jets and was off. His methodical passing opened up some running lanes, creating manageable short third down situations, and he had the poise to convert said third downs. He ended up throwing three touchdown passes and the defense held down the Bears to allow the offense to catch up on the score board. It was 31-30 late in the 4th but the Bears marched down to the 40 yard line and gave their kicker a shot to win it, and as usual he was good as Gould (see what I did there?) and the Bears took home the win.
Some notes:
 |
| Kirk Cousins a much better #12 than John Beck |
Granted a big part of RG3's game isn't even being showcased during preseason (coaches game-planning is virtually non-existent during preseason) combined with the fact that the offensive line is still short 3 starters it wasn't a terrible day, well it was a terrible day but Griffin didn't do as bad as the stats show. Preseason is about individual match-ups, coordinators call simple plays to see who wins. Does the rookie lineman hold against Julius Peppers? Can Brandyn Thompson cover Alshon Jeffery? This is what the coaches (and other teams' scouts) look for during these preseason games, which is why the score doesn't really matter. I still like what I see out of Griffin III, he stands tall in the pocket and keeps his eyes down field even when faced with a heavy pass rush. Considering he hasn't even played a full game yet one has to realize that Griffin III can only get better from here, accuracy in practice is one thing, but accuracy in a stadium with 80,000 cheering or jeering fans is another. He looked impressive on his 3 scrambles but needs to be aware of his surroundings, had he known that a defensive end was right behind him he wouldn't have attempted the pass that resulted in his fumble. This is my only worry, 2 games, 2 lost fumbles, I hope he works these issues out in practice because we can't afford senseless turnovers on a regular basis.
I'm disappointed. A playoff caliber team has certain characteristics, stuff that a veteran team does day in and day out without fail. The Redskins looked like a JV high school squad against a collegiate team (until Cousins came in of course). They missed tackles, took bad angles, the secondary was getting tore up by Cutler, they missed a field goal, you get the idea. Playoff teams know how to wrap up, they know how to plant their feet and go low and make the secure tackle, when 4 players touch the kick returner they don't all whiff and let him go for six, they don't drop balls that hit both of their hands. If the Redskins hope to have any shot this season they need to get their act together.
The 2nd half was some amazing football. Cousins didn't score in the third quarter but settled in, got his bearings together and put up a field goal opportunity. Then he shifted into 6th gear, turned on the jets and was off. His methodical passing opened up some running lanes, creating manageable short third down situations, and he had the poise to convert said third downs. He ended up throwing three touchdown passes and the defense held down the Bears to allow the offense to catch up on the score board. It was 31-30 late in the 4th but the Bears marched down to the 40 yard line and gave their kicker a shot to win it, and as usual he was good as Gould (see what I did there?) and the Bears took home the win.
Some notes:
- Our special teams coverage has been atrocious these past few games. Danny Smith's unit is usually stellar but people are taking bad angles and missing tackles and its unacceptable.
- Sav Rocca was back to form though, as he nailed 3 of his 4 punts inside the 20 yard line.
- Brandon Banks didn't get any playing time at receiver but showed why he's on the team to begin with, housing a punt and showing Devin Hester how its done.
- The kicking game is still cloudy as Rackers drilled his short field goal attempt but hooked his long one wide left. Gano didn't attempt a field goal but drilled every extra point for what its worth.
- The running back committee looks to be a bit big with Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, and the returners, Hightower, Helu and Royster. I'd consider keeping Morris on the practice squad as a safety in case of injury.
- Next game's article will be interesting as I'm taking my little brother to the game and will report from that perspective.
- Eid Mubarak to all my fellow Muslims out there!
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